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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"